PREFACE
This volume has been written under the idea that Virginia
was the original center of Southern development, just as New
England was the original center of Northern development.
Divergent as these two centers were, they were forced into
union by British oppression. In all the social and political
features that characterized this incongruous connection the
Southern center was dominant for nearly 100 years. This
volume embraces this remarkable period (1763-1861). It may
be emphatically styled "Virginia's golden age" and perhaps
it was the golden age of the United States. Certainly no other
state in history ever produced within so short a period such a
multitude of great men or accomplished such wonderful results.
Among these last was the continuance of the Union
itself through so long a time. It is pointed out that speedy
secession has the natural consequence of such an impossible
combination, and yet through the idealism of the Virginia
statesmen this combination was maintained till the Northern
influences were too strong to make separation successful. The
South was overwhelmed, and a mighty and prosperous nation
took the place of a jarring union, made great by the idealism
of Virginia. Virginia fell a sacrifice to what might be called
a suicidal policy, but shorn of her influence in national affairs
she still lives in the best and most glorious principles of the
new Nation.
